Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Diaphragms

No Is the building assigned to SDC A? Yes

Use the load combinations in Table 5.1 and

No Is the building assigned to SDC B? Yes ASCE/SEI 2.6.1 �Sect. 5.2��1� – �3�

Use the load combinations in Table 5.1 with

seismic load combinations in Sect. 5.3�1� – �3�

No Is the building assigned to SDC C? Yes

Use the load combinations in Table 5.1 with Use the load combinations in Table 5.1 with
seismic load combinations in Sect. 5.5�1�,�2� seismic load combinations in Sect. 5.4�1�,�2�

Does the structure have a Type 5 horizontal

No Yes
structural irregularity?

Seismic forces must be applied in two

Seismic forces may be applied
orthogonal directions simultaneously using
independently in two orthogonal directions
one of the procedures in ASCE/SEI 12.5.3.1

�1� Include the applicable load effects in ACI 5.3.6 – 5.3.10.

�2� For buildings where extraordinary loads and events must be considered, the
capacity and residual capacity load combinations in ASCE/SEI Equations 2.5-1
and 2.5-2, respectively, must be used.
�3� Lateral forces may be applied independently in two orthogonal directions.

Figure 9.4 Procedure to Determine Strength Design Load Combinations

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Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Diaphragms

Determine the applicable chord forces using the

flowcharts in Figs. 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4

Determine the required chord reinforcement in

the diaphragm and at the edges of any relatively
large openings using �q. ��.4�

�ocate the chord reinforcement at ��� the edges

of the openings and �2� the edges of the
diaphragm or within a distance of h/4 from the
edges of the diaphragm���

Chord reinforcement must be provided in

addtion to other required reinforcement�2�

No Does the floor/roof system have perimeter beams? Yes

Tie the chord reinforcing bars to either the top Tie the chord reinforcing bars to either the top
or bottom flexural reinforcement in the slab or bottom flexural reinforcement in the slab
�similar to Fig. �.2� �Fig. �.2�

Increase the amount of flexural reinforcement

in the beam by the amount required for the
chord reinforcement

(1)
The location of the chord reinforcement must correspond to the distance that was
used in calculating the chord forces.
(2)
Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement may be used as chord reinforcement
��CI �2.�.3�.

Figure 9.5 Procedure to Determine Required Chord Reinforcement

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 Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Diaphragms

Determine the maximum shear force Vu using

the flowcharts in Figs. 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4

Are special moment frames and/or special

No Yes
structural walls used as the SFRS?

𝜙𝜙 � �.��

Is it anticipated that Vn of the diaphragm will be less than the

No Yes
shear corresponding to the development of Mn of the
diaphragm?

𝜙𝜙 � 𝜙𝜙1 � �.�� 𝜙𝜙 � 𝜙𝜙1 � �.��

No Is 𝜙𝜙1 � 𝜙𝜙 � 𝜙𝜙2 where 𝜙𝜙2 � least value of 𝜙𝜙 for shear Yes

used for the vertical components of the SFRS?

Use 𝜙𝜙 � 𝜙𝜙1 Use 𝜙𝜙 � 𝜙𝜙2

�𝑉𝑉𝑢𝑢 �𝜙𝜙𝐴𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 � � 2��𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐′

𝜌𝜌𝑡𝑡 �
𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦

Combine the required shear reinforcement, if

any, with the flexural reinforcement in the slab
in the direction of analysis

Figure 9.6 Procedure to Determine Required Shear Reinforcement

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Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Diaphragms

Determine shear forces 𝑉𝑉𝑢𝑢 in the diaphragm

and axial forces 𝑇𝑇𝑢𝑢 and 𝐶𝐶𝑢𝑢 in the collectors
using the flowcharts in Figs. 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4

No Is the width of the collector � the width of the vertical Yes

element of the LFRS that it frames into?

Select 𝑇𝑇𝑑𝑑 and 𝐶𝐶𝑑𝑑 considering design and

𝑉𝑉𝑢𝑢�total� � 𝑉𝑉𝑢𝑢
construction limitations

𝑇𝑇𝑣𝑣 � 𝑇𝑇𝑢𝑢 � 𝑇𝑇𝑑𝑑

𝐶𝐶𝑣𝑣 � 𝐶𝐶𝑢𝑢 � 𝐶𝐶𝑑𝑑

𝑉𝑉𝑢𝑢 �total� � 𝑉𝑉𝑢𝑢 � 𝑇𝑇𝑣𝑣 � 𝐶𝐶𝑣𝑣

Shear transfer between diaphragm and

vertical elements of the LFRS

Figure 9.7 Procedure to Determine Required Shear Transfer Reinforcement

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